Reagan To Renew Export Ban, -- Envoys May Prod Pretoria

July 27, 1986|By New York Times

WASHINGTON — President Reagan plans to renew a year-old ban on the export of some goods to South Africa and may send government representatives to warn Pretoria that unless it speeds political change, stiffer penalties will follow, a top administration official said Saturday.

The mission, in the form of a special envoy or a group of legislators, would be intended to caution South Africa about congressional pressure for more serious economic sanctions.

The official said the president wanted to make sure the South Africans understand the position in which the administration finds itself.

The United States is seeking the release from prison of black leader Nelson Mandela, the start of a dialogue between the South African government and the African National Congress and further easing of apartheid.

The administration official said Sen. Paul Laxalt, R-Nev., who is a friend of Reagan, was a possible envoy to visit both President P.W. Botha of South Africa and Oliver Tambo, a leader of the African National Congress, the black guerrilla group. The official said a bipartisan congressional delegation was also under consideration.

For now, officials said, Reagan plans to renew a year-old executive order on some exports that is scheduled to expire Sept. 9. It bars computer exports for use by South African agencies enforcing apartheid, bans most types of loans to the South African government, and prohibits exports of most nuclear goods and technology.

The executive order also includes a provision to ban the importation of Krugerrands, the South African gold coins.

These restrictions on economic relations with South Africa were imposed last year to ward off Senate adoption of stronger measures.